BOOKIES have pegged James Mills as the likely successor to former Witney MP David Cameron ahead of a by-election next month.

The leader of West Oxfordshire District Council has odds of 2/1 on being selected as parliamentary candidate for the Conservatives, who are widely expected to hold the safe seat.

Speaking to the Witney Gazette, Mr Mills confirmed he had put himself forward.

The 40-year-old added: "I’ve grown up in West Oxfordshire, I’ve lived in West Oxfordshire and I’ve worked in West Oxfordshire.

"I love West Oxfordshire. So I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to represent it".

According to bookmakers Ladbrokes Mr Mills' odds are better than local Conservative association chairman David McFarlane, also a district councillor, and deputy council leader Robert Courts.

Mr Courts, 37, has odds of 6/1.

He said: "I’ve enjoyed working with the district council and I can think of no greater honour than to be MP for this wonderful place".

Also understood to be in the running is South Oxfordshire District Council leader John Cotton, who has odds of 8/1, and Mr Cameron's former aide Natasha Whitmill with odds of 10/1.

The poll on October 20 was triggered by former Prime Minister Mr Cameron's resignation last week.

It has attracted national interest, with big Tory beasts thought to be eyeing up the post.

Esther McVey, the former Employment Minister, said she "would welcome" a chance to run and South East MEP Daniel Hannan, a key Vote Leave figure, is also thought to be interested.

Speaking on Sky News’ Murnaghan programme, Ms McVey said: "We believe in the Tory party that the actual association chooses the candidate and that’s what they will be doing there, so obviously if the chairman is watching, give us a call."

But party sources denied claims a prominent politician could be "parachuted in", pointing to an unwritten rule that a local person is usually selected in by-elections.

One also said Mr Hannan was unlikely to be successful as he campaigned on a different side to Mr Cameron ahead of the EU referendum.

It is understood Conservative Campaign Headquarters has been vetting candidates this week, with the list set to be whittled down to three before local members vote tomorrow.

It emerged over the weekend that Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth had ruled himself out "after considerable soul searching and deliberation".

Mr Hudspeth said he instead wanted to focus on local government reform and council elections next May.

He added: "I wish the successful Conservative candidate all the best and will be campaigning to ensure he or she is returned as the MP for Witney".

It is almost certain that the Conservative parliamentary candidate will go on to win.

The constituency has been a safe Tory seat at every election since it was created in 1983 and Mr Cameron won 60.2 per cent of the vote in the 2015 General Election.

The next closest contender, Labour's Duncan Enright, received 17.2 per cent.